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Slater & Norman Mystery #10
A Puzzle of Old Bones
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here
Newly promoted Detective Inspector Dave Slater could groan when he’s handed his first case in his new role. This isn’t the first time he’s had to deal with dug-up old bones – and things get even worse when he gets to the scene to discover the skeleton is that of a little boy.
Along with new partner DS Samantha Brearley, known as Watson, he tracks down a couple whose only son went missing years previously. But they are adamant that the remains found, and even a distinctive antique silver pendant discovered beside the body, can’t have anything to do with their missing son. When DNA results back up their assertion, Slater finds himself at a crossroads, the evidence pointing every which way.
But there’s an unfortunate fact about digging – once you start, you never know what else you might find. And Slater soon begins to realise, there could be more than the bones of a little boy lying buried deep in the past.
Newly promoted Detective Inspector Dave Slater could groan when he’s handed his first case in his new role. This isn’t the first time he’s had to deal with dug-up old bones – and things get even worse when he gets to the scene to discover the skeleton is that of a little boy.
Along with new partner DS Samantha Brearley, known as Watson, he tracks down a couple whose only son went missing years previously. But they are adamant that the remains found, and even a distinctive antique silver pendant discovered beside the body, can’t have anything to do with their missing son. When DNA results back up their assertion, Slater finds himself at a crossroads, the evidence pointing every which way.
But there’s an unfortunate fact about digging – once you start, you never know what else you might find. And Slater soon begins to realise, there could be more than the bones of a little boy lying buried deep in the past.
- GenresMystery
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2017
814 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
P.F. Ford
53 books232 followersHaving spent most of his life trying to be what everyone else wanted him to be, P.F. (Peter) Ford was a late starter when it came to writing. He had tried writing a novel many years ago (before the advent of self-publishing), only to be turned down by every publisher he approached. It was very much a case of being told by those around him, ‘now you know you can’t write, so get back to work!’
Even at an early age, Peter felt very much like the proverbial square peg being forced into a round hole. This resulted in the creation of a Grammar School drop-out who then drifted through a succession of unfulfilling jobs, finally ending up in a totally unsuitable role which eventually sapped his energy and self-confidence. There followed a brief foray into self-employment (not a good idea for someone lacking in self-confidence!) which ended in total financial melt-down, a mountain of debt, and a lapse into depression.
Faced with the fact that he’d never be happy as he was, Peter finally decided he had no intention of continuing that way, and things just had to change. This was achieved by closing the door on his old life and starting over. Fast forward a few years and you find a man transformed, his newly found positive attitude enabling him to find new partner (now wife), Mary, who shares his belief that dreamers should be encouraged and not denied.
He first wrote, (under the name Peter Ford), and self-published , several short books about the life changing benefits of positive thinking. Now, completely free of the hindrance of worrying about what other people think, he’s blissfully happy writing the D.S. Dave Slater mystery novels and what he calls the ‘digital fiction marmite’ (people tend to love it or hate it!) that is the Alfie Bowman Novella series.
Peter and Mary recently completed a shared dream when they married and moved to a beautiful region of Wales where they spend much of their spare time walking their three dogs, and relaxing and having fun with friends. They believe they are living proof that you should never give up on your dreams, because it’s never too late!
Even at an early age, Peter felt very much like the proverbial square peg being forced into a round hole. This resulted in the creation of a Grammar School drop-out who then drifted through a succession of unfulfilling jobs, finally ending up in a totally unsuitable role which eventually sapped his energy and self-confidence. There followed a brief foray into self-employment (not a good idea for someone lacking in self-confidence!) which ended in total financial melt-down, a mountain of debt, and a lapse into depression.
Faced with the fact that he’d never be happy as he was, Peter finally decided he had no intention of continuing that way, and things just had to change. This was achieved by closing the door on his old life and starting over. Fast forward a few years and you find a man transformed, his newly found positive attitude enabling him to find new partner (now wife), Mary, who shares his belief that dreamers should be encouraged and not denied.
He first wrote, (under the name Peter Ford), and self-published , several short books about the life changing benefits of positive thinking. Now, completely free of the hindrance of worrying about what other people think, he’s blissfully happy writing the D.S. Dave Slater mystery novels and what he calls the ‘digital fiction marmite’ (people tend to love it or hate it!) that is the Alfie Bowman Novella series.
Peter and Mary recently completed a shared dream when they married and moved to a beautiful region of Wales where they spend much of their spare time walking their three dogs, and relaxing and having fun with friends. They believe they are living proof that you should never give up on your dreams, because it’s never too late!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
May 30, 2017
GREAT READ
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. It was a great book, a wonderful read, the twists kept me turning the pages, I really enjoyed it, I think Watson has turned out to be an interesting character, here re a few words to describe this book great, fantastic, brilliant, entertaining, interesting, Mr P F Ford you did it again well-done, I do recommend this book you will have a good read.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. It was a great book, a wonderful read, the twists kept me turning the pages, I really enjoyed it, I think Watson has turned out to be an interesting character, here re a few words to describe this book great, fantastic, brilliant, entertaining, interesting, Mr P F Ford you did it again well-done, I do recommend this book you will have a good read.
July 27, 2018
3.5 stars. Pretty good.
May 29, 2017
Another brilliant book in the series - loved it - bring on the next one. Can be read as a stand alone book if you've not read the series. Downloaded it early in the morning and been reading it on and off all day.
December 19, 2022
Oh wow!!! No good deed goes unpunished… people with a conscience sure do suffer and those without have no remorse at all. This storyline was so convoluted and twisted. And yes, I did figure it out but I figured that’s the only way it could be, it had to be that twisted!!
August 25, 2023
Knew the ending almost immediately
Nicely written, but, I knew the the ending as soon as I read the problem. I didn't guess all
the detail but, who killed and who stole the baby , anyway, I guess I read too much.
Nicely written, but, I knew the the ending as soon as I read the problem. I didn't guess all
the detail but, who killed and who stole the baby , anyway, I guess I read too much.
May 24, 2020
As usual
I hate to let Mr. Ford know I had determined who did it as far as the young wife and where the child came from. The rest was a complete surprise. Well done.
I hate to let Mr. Ford know I had determined who did it as far as the young wife and where the child came from. The rest was a complete surprise. Well done.
October 31, 2022
Ford
I love his books
No political crap
No really cursing,
The story line is so full of actually life
Thank you
I love his books
No political crap
No really cursing,
The story line is so full of actually life
Thank you
October 18, 2017
What a lovely way to spend a wet autumn day! chanced upon this book and sat down and read it in one go, Have just down-loaded a few more, so time will tell if this author is as entertaining as I think he is. My initial response is that you don't need to stretch yourself too much (a good thing), and it all ties up neatly at the end. Some of the characters have been drawn so well that I anticipate meeting them again, another good thing. Thank you Peter Ford for NOT going down the American path, blood and gore every-where, not needed.
December 29, 2024
Another murder mystery. This time it is just Slater in his first week of a new job - hopefully Norman will play some part in the last few books as I enjoyed the banter between them, and the series is called Slater & Norman! Slater has a cold case to solve involving a child’s remains. One or two of the mysteries were fairly obvious, but it is still fun reading about how Slater and Watson get there. We are left with a more personal mystery at the end - I am expecting more on this in the next book.
June 19, 2017
Not the best in this series but still enjoyable
The characters are what keep me coming back to each new entry in the Dave Slater series. While Watson, bionic knee and all, is a fine foil for Dave (nice to see a woman get equal billing), I found myself missing Dave's former partner, the improbably named Norman Norman, quite a lot. The plot was OK, but it's the snappy repartee that fuels this series, at least for me.
The characters are what keep me coming back to each new entry in the Dave Slater series. While Watson, bionic knee and all, is a fine foil for Dave (nice to see a woman get equal billing), I found myself missing Dave's former partner, the improbably named Norman Norman, quite a lot. The plot was OK, but it's the snappy repartee that fuels this series, at least for me.
August 13, 2017
This book showed up on Amazon's suggestion list and I ordered a sample. Liked it so much I read it in two days and ordered another book by P. F. For Read it in two days also. I am ready for the third.
I love a good English mystery and this was excellent. Good characters, fresh story, some
good surprises. I had run through all my favorite writers and so glad to find a new one.
I love a good English mystery and this was excellent. Good characters, fresh story, some
good surprises. I had run through all my favorite writers and so glad to find a new one.
April 12, 2022
Wow!
Nothing like getting kicked in the teeth when you're down! What a great read!. So many people.involved, causing so many twists and turns, I was going in circles, or was it crazy 8's!and even towards the very end, I hadn't figured it all out!! I sure hope that all these issues work out, but I have a feeling like Norm and Dave's loves are yet again going to be going in what direction!?
Nothing like getting kicked in the teeth when you're down! What a great read!. So many people.involved, causing so many twists and turns, I was going in circles, or was it crazy 8's!and even towards the very end, I hadn't figured it all out!! I sure hope that all these issues work out, but I have a feeling like Norm and Dave's loves are yet again going to be going in what direction!?
October 4, 2024
I did enjoy this story as I love cold cases.
I have to admit that I found this too easy to solve. I had the answers from the beginning and it just seemed so obvious what the solution was and I became frustrated with the detectives when they kept going around in circles and missing the point.
I kept waiting for a plot twist to prove me wrong but that never happened.
I give it 3/5 for the story but I had to take points off for not being challenging enough to solve.
I have to admit that I found this too easy to solve. I had the answers from the beginning and it just seemed so obvious what the solution was and I became frustrated with the detectives when they kept going around in circles and missing the point.
I kept waiting for a plot twist to prove me wrong but that never happened.
I give it 3/5 for the story but I had to take points off for not being challenging enough to solve.
May 10, 2018
So so...
Not up to his usual good read. It seemed as though a bright but inexperienced high school student was assisting a normally competent writer with the narrative. The attempt to suggest a romantic sub-plot between Slater and Watson was embarrassing. Come on Ford, you can do much better than this!
Not up to his usual good read. It seemed as though a bright but inexperienced high school student was assisting a normally competent writer with the narrative. The attempt to suggest a romantic sub-plot between Slater and Watson was embarrassing. Come on Ford, you can do much better than this!
October 19, 2022
Old Bones Can Talk
Another great story that kept me riveted. Yes, old Bones can tell a powerful tale when modern day helpers like DNA can prove family relationships. Slater and Watson went the distance in clearing up another mystery, but poor old Slater is being grassed up by it. Can't wait for the next book to see where it goes from here! Well done, P.F. Ford!!
Another great story that kept me riveted. Yes, old Bones can tell a powerful tale when modern day helpers like DNA can prove family relationships. Slater and Watson went the distance in clearing up another mystery, but poor old Slater is being grassed up by it. Can't wait for the next book to see where it goes from here! Well done, P.F. Ford!!
June 7, 2023
A good story with Slater returning in a new role at DCI. He likes his new partner Watson who seems good at her job. The bones are discovered and the boy's biological father didn't even realize one set of the bones are that of his son because all he knew beforehand was that his son disappeared when only a few weeks old, but the bones are that of a little boy.
August 5, 2024
What a great series this is!
Ex Detective Seargeant Norman Norman doesn't have much of a role this time. Dave Slater, now a DI and his new sidekick, have to deal with a chilling cold case when the body of a child is discovered. There are lots of twists and turns before the whole thing is resolved, with the exception of a possible cliffhanger for the next book.
Ex Detective Seargeant Norman Norman doesn't have much of a role this time. Dave Slater, now a DI and his new sidekick, have to deal with a chilling cold case when the body of a child is discovered. There are lots of twists and turns before the whole thing is resolved, with the exception of a possible cliffhanger for the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2024
This has to be my favorite Slater and Norman book yet. Strange because Norman was barely in the story at. This time Dave Slater and his new partner, nicknamed Watson investigate the murder of a child, then a second body shows up just a short distance form the first. The suspects start to pile up and one by one they are are looked into, until the climax of the book. Incredible!
October 29, 2017
Slater
Fantastic! Can't wait for the next one! Love Slater! Love Watson! Superbly written, as always! Keep on sharing your talent, I'll keep on reading every you write and telling everyone I know about the books.
Fantastic! Can't wait for the next one! Love Slater! Love Watson! Superbly written, as always! Keep on sharing your talent, I'll keep on reading every you write and telling everyone I know about the books.
December 5, 2018
Another exciting edition of the great Dave Slater. The new character works great, I know she was in the last novel but Watson takes a very good role in this new police department.
Thank you Peter, the enjoyment that you are providing with your novels is certainly making our lives more fun.
Thank you Peter, the enjoyment that you are providing with your novels is certainly making our lives more fun.
March 17, 2019
Great story
Enjoyed the partnership between Slater and his partner as they work to solve this cold case involving a woman and child. Definitely plan to read more of this author's books.
Enjoyed the partnership between Slater and his partner as they work to solve this cold case involving a woman and child. Definitely plan to read more of this author's books.
May 25, 2021
I just saw a review that said the characters were not believable? Well I beg to differ! As always he writes wit emotion but it’s believable! In fact I have read all but a few of his books, and I’m still searching to be sure I have read them all.
December 17, 2023
Old Bones,no brainer
Another great story line, even though from the start this was going to be a story on the darker side of the Slater character, missed Norms bigger involvement but Watson was easy to grow to like, hopefully the pair / trio might be involved again.
Another great story line, even though from the start this was going to be a story on the darker side of the Slater character, missed Norms bigger involvement but Watson was easy to grow to like, hopefully the pair / trio might be involved again.
June 24, 2024
Death of a long lost son
I liked this book a lot and I've even read it twice. It has great character build up where you really feel sympathy, empathy or revu!sion for the people in it
I liked this book a lot and I've even read it twice. It has great character build up where you really feel sympathy, empathy or revu!sion for the people in it
June 27, 2024
One of PF Fords Best! Norm is still working on his health. Dave Slater has a new position and a new partner — Samantha, Sam but most commonly “Watson”. The new Team is building, learning each other’s idiosyncrasies and subtle personality quirks. Really an enjoyable read.
September 8, 2024
Lost son
I was truly in tears with this book. Slater has a lot of bad luck and Norm had a heart attack. The son of a man in the service and his girl friend getting killed was so darn sad. It was a complicated story and sad.
I was truly in tears with this book. Slater has a lot of bad luck and Norm had a heart attack. The son of a man in the service and his girl friend getting killed was so darn sad. It was a complicated story and sad.
November 7, 2024
Another Excellent Story
Another excellent story in the Slater and Norman series where he had a new partner. Great storyline with lots of twists and turns and an unexpected ending.Looking forward to reading more in the series.
Another excellent story in the Slater and Norman series where he had a new partner. Great storyline with lots of twists and turns and an unexpected ending.Looking forward to reading more in the series.
June 3, 2017
A bit too obvious
Love this author and the characters, read this in one go, but part way through I'd figured out the whole storyline, no guess work whatsoever. Hence 4stars.
Love this author and the characters, read this in one go, but part way through I'd figured out the whole storyline, no guess work whatsoever. Hence 4stars.
June 4, 2017
As always a fun read
I quite like Dave Slater and Sam "Watson". The story started out with a interesting twist and moved along nicely. Thank You Mr P.F. Ford.
I quite like Dave Slater and Sam "Watson". The story started out with a interesting twist and moved along nicely. Thank You Mr P.F. Ford.
June 26, 2017
Good story
Have read all of th u s series. This is my favourite so far (hoping that it isn't the last). I sort of had it figured out but alter a twist. Read it and enjoy!
Have read all of th u s series. This is my favourite so far (hoping that it isn't the last). I sort of had it figured out but alter a twist. Read it and enjoy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews